LLOYD James, in-and-out of the team during his loan spell at Crawley, due primarily to injury and illness, has returned to the U’s with a bang.

The ex-Southampton midfielder, whose old team clinched promotion to the Premier League on Saturday, played a key role in the U’s big win over Tranmere.

And he is also happy to be staying at the Essex club for next season, having been recently offered a new deal.

James enthused: “I told the gaffer I wanted to come back (from Crawley), and earn my contract for next year.

“I’ve been offered a new deal and I think I will be here next year. You just have to look at the new training ground and the facilities here. It’s a great club.

“Hopefully, we can push on next year, and hopefully we can keep as many of the players here as we can.

“There are exciting times ahead for this club, and I want to be a part of it.”

Speaking about Saturday’s win, James continued: “It was a great performance all-round, and I thought we took some of the goals really well.

“The early goal helped us. Hendo (Henderson) took has goal brilliantly, It was also a great team goal. We could have put it to bed at 2-0 up, but perhaps we took our foot off the pedal a bit.”

James delivered a superb cross for Tom Eastman to nod home the U’s second, although the Welshman admitted that he had no real idea how the goal was executed.

“It was a cross, but I then fell over so I didn’t actually see what happened!” revealed James.

“I had my back to it. I’ll just accept that it was a great cross!

“I’m delighted to have got my chance today, playing alongside Woody (Wordsworth), who has been one of our best players this year.”